Method for forwarding multicast message in network communication

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method of forwarding multicast message in network communication. In the method: first, configure forwarding match condition at the entry interface to the network device requiring forwarding multicast message, the forwarding match condition regulates forwarding rule for the multicast message; then, match the multicast message to be forwarded to network device through the interface with the forwarding match condition, and forward the multicast message according to the matching result. The present invention can configure the sending mode of messages according to requirement and can effectively avoid risks in security that may be caused by the broadcast mode for the multicast messages in the link layer as well as efficiency loss caused by receiving a great deal of invalid multicast messages, and the configuration is simple, and more convenient use and management is realized. In the present invention, forwarding multicast message through configuring multicast message forwarding rule greatly reduces the number of various multicast protocol messages generated in the multicast network and saves bandwidth resource of network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of network communication technologies, more particularly to a method for forwarding multicast message in network communication.

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] With the large-scale use of meeting TV and development of IPv6, the multicast technology has been used more and more popularly. Forwarding multicast message is usually realized by IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) in combination with multicast routing protocol. The concrete method is to run the multicast routing protocol on every router in the multicast network, the multicast routing protocol can be any of DVMRP (Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol), PIM-DM (Protocol-Independent Multicast—Dense Mode), CBT (Core Broadcast Tree) or PIM-SM (Protocol-Independent Multicast—Sparse Mode). For the routers on the domain boundary and hosts that are required to join the multicast group, IGMP also has to be run. The host sends a request of joining the multicast group through IGMP, and the router connected to the host joins corresponding port of the host to responding multicast group after receiving the request. Inside the multicast network, the multicast routing protocol forms the multicast forwarding routing list according to topology of the interface joining multicast group. When a source host sends a message whose destination address is a multicast IP address to the multicast network, the router in multicast network forwards it according to the multicast routing list formed by the multicast routing protocol. After the message has been forwarded to the router connected to the host, the router sends the message in multicast mode to the interface where the host is.

[0005] In the network as shown in FIG. 1, the multicast source (Source) connects to the multicast network through Router1. Router1, through domain formed by lots of routers, connects to Router2 on the domain boundary. Router 2 connects to the host PC1 through Ethernet and the host PC2 is also in Ethernet. In order to correctly forward the multicast message from Source to PC1, the traditional method needs at least the following configuration: a kind of multicast routing protocol in dense or sparse mode has to be run on every router in the multicast network; router-side where which IGMP is run on the routers (Router2, Router3) on the domain boundary in the multicast network; client-side where IGMP is run on the host applying multicast.

[0006] After configuring as above, in order to forward the multicast messages correctly, it also need the multicast routing protocol messages, transferring multicast routing information, transfer regularly between the routers in the multicast network, as well as the regular report messages and the join/leave messages in the notice state between the routers on the domain boundary and the hosts. As is shown in FIG. 1, first, PC1 sends the join message to Router2 for applying for joining in the multicast group, Router2 joins the Ethernet interface that PC1 corresponds to in the multicast group, and the join message propagates in the whole multicast network through multicast routing protocol messages, and forms the multicast routing information which can be used to send the message to the interface receiving the multicast message. In this way, when Source sends a multicast message meeting the requirements through Router1, the forwarded messages through the multicast network are sent to Router2 on the domain boundary, and Router2 sends the multicast message to the Ethernet interface connected to PC 1, which receives the message.

[0007] Seen from conventional technical scheme, conventional multicast routing forwarding method has the following flaws: first, it lowers the security of IP message, which is not high enough already. When the router sends the multicast message to the host in service domain, IGMP sends message from the interface in multicast mode, while in broadcast-type networks (such as Ethernet), this sending mode will cause the problem that the message is sent to the host which should not receive it. As is shown in FIG. 1, host PC2 can also receive the multicast messages proposed for PC1. This mechanism sometimes restrains the application of multicast to a great extent. Second, the inconvenience of the traditional method is expressed by the fact that the network configuration is quite troublesome, there are various configurations for the purposes of hosts, routers on the boundary and forwarding routers and it involves client-side and the router-side of the multicast routing protocol and IGMP, demanding a higher qualification from the network administrator. Third, running the multicast routing protocol on all routers will affect the forwarding efficiency of the routers and increase the burden on the routers and hosts in the multicast network. Fourth, a great deal of multicast protocol messages generated between routers and between hosts and routers in the multicast network occupy precious bandwidth resource.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Object of the present invention is to provide a method of forwarding multicast message in network communication, which guarantees the security in multicast message forwarding, makes configuration of the multicast network more simple, saves bandwidth resource and increases forwarding efficiency of the routers.

[0009] The object of the present invention is realized as the following steps: said method of forwarding multicast message in network communication, comprises:

[0010] a. configure forwarding match condition at the entry interface to the network device requiring forwarding multicast message, the forwarding match condition regulates forwarding rule for the multicast message;

[0011] b. match the multicast message to be forwarded to network device through the interface with the forwarding match condition;

[0012] c. forward the multicast message according to the matching result.

[0013] Said forwarding match condition is a multicast message forwarding rule group consisting of more than one multicast message forwarding rule.

[0014] Said step b comprises:

[0015] b1. determine whether the message entering through this interface is multicast message;

[0016] b2. if yes, match the multicast message with individual multicast message forwarding rule contained in the forwarding match condition;

[0017] b3. if no, forward the message in single broadcast mode.

[0018] In said step b2: match the source address information in the multicast message with the source address information in the multicast message forwarding rule.

[0019] In said step b2: match the source address and destination address information in the multicast message with the source address and destination address information in the multicast message forwarding rule.

[0020] In said step b2: match the entry interface information in the multicast message with the entry interface information in the multicast message forwarding rule.

[0021] Said step b2 comprises:

[0022] b21. determine whether the multicast message forwarding rule is configured at the interface of the network device;

[0023] b22. if yes, match the information carried by the multicast message with corresponding information in the multicast message forwarding rule;

[0024] b23. if no, forward the multicast message according to the multicast routing forwarding list.

[0025] Said step c comprises:

[0026] c1. determine whether there is multicast message forwarding rule matching with the information carried by the multicast message in the forwarding match condition;

[0027] c2. if yes, forward the multicast message according to the multicast message forwarding rule;

[0028] c3. if no, forward the multicast message according to the multicast routing forwarding list.

[0029] In said step c2:

[0030] c21. determine the message forwarding destination configured in the multicast message forwarding rule is the forwarding exit interface or the next hop address;

[0031] c22. if the destination is the forwarding exit interface, and for the message configured lots of forwarding exit interfaces, the message is forwarded to all interfaces after copied;

[0032] c23. if the destination is the next hop address, forward the message according to the single broadcast routing forwarding list and for the message configured lots of next hops, the message is forwarded to all addresses of next hops after copied.

[0033] Said step c23 comprises:

[0034] c231. search the single broadcast routing forwarding list and determine the type of exit interface corresponding to the next hop address;

[0035] c232. if the type of exit interface is NBMA (point to multipoint), forward the message according to the exit interface;

[0036] c233. if the type of exit interface is broadcast, forward the message according to the next hop address in the single broadcast routing forwarding list and set the property of the message as single broadcast message;

[0037] C234. if the type of exit interface is PTP, directly forward the message according to the next hop address regulated in the multicast message forwarding rule.

[0038] Seen from said technical scheme, in the present invention, the multicast message forwarding rule group designed for forwarding multicast message enables to flexibly configure the Access Control List (ACL) to realize the function of packet filter required by users, that is, to realize sending the multicast message in a multicast mode according to the interface and users' requirement or in a single broadcast mode according to the next hop address. The present invention has the following advantages in the control method of forwarding multicast message: first, in the present invention, the mode of sending message can be configured according to requirement and can effectively avoid efficiency loss caused by receiving a great deal of invalid multicast messages and the security risk which may be caused by efficiency loss; second, implementing the present invention does not need to configure IGMP on the host, which enables to use and manage for users; third, in the present invention, multicast message is forwarded by configuring multicast message forwarding rule, such a configuration can replace functions of IGMP and the multicast routing protocol, therefore the number of various multicast protocol messages generated in the multicast network is greatly reduced and network bandwidth is saved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039]FIG. 1 is the structural diagram of the multicast network.

[0040]FIG. 2 is the flowchart of concrete implementation according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

[0041] The method of forwarding multicast message in network communication according to the present invention can be both an independent mode of forwarding multicast message and an extension to the conventional mode of forwarding multicast message. In this method, multicast message can be forwarded according to the specific multicast message forwarding rule designated by users but no longer search the multicast routing list only; the multicast message forwarding rule is the rule, regulating the mode of forwarding multicast message, confirmed and input by users according to their requirement. The present invention enables users to flexibly configure the multicast message forwarding rule according to requirement during networking, and provides great flexibility, expandability and good compatibility for users.

[0042] Embodiment of the present invention will be described according to FIG. 2:

[0043] Step 1: Users configure the multicast message forwarding rule at the entry interface of corresponding router according to their requirement. The multicast message forwarding rule can contain only one rule or a multicast message forwarding rule group consisting of lots of rules;

[0044] One or lots of multicast message forwarding rules can exist at a certain entry interface on the network device namely the router, every multicast message forwarding rule group is a relatively independent forwarding control policy, regulating necessary condition for forwarding multicast message according to corresponding multicast message forwarding rule, every message entering the router through this interface to be forwarded shall be matched with the condition, if the multicast message meets the description of a certain feature in the condition, that is, matches the condition, then the message is forwarded in the mode of forwarding multicast message corresponding to the condition, the mode is in the multicast message forwarding rule, the mode of forwarding multicast message in the multicast message forwarding rule describes in detail the forwarding scheme for the message and takes over the following forwarding;

[0045] Said necessary condition for multicast forwarding message according to the multicast message forwarding rule can be described with the source address information, destination address information or entry interface information in the multicast message, while the corresponding mode of forwarding multicast message in the multicast message forwarding rule can be described with exit interface information or next hop address information in the multicast message;

[0046] Step 2: match the information, entering the router, carried in the multicast message with corresponding information in the multicast message forwarding rule to determine mode of forwarding multicast message;

[0047] After configuring the multicast message forwarding rule at an interface of the router, all the multicast messages entering the router through the interface to be forwarded will be filtered and the multicast messages and multicast protocol messages reaching the local will not be filtered; in the method of filtering: match all the multicast message forwarding rules configured at the interface with corresponding information in the multicast message according to the high to low priority level designated in configuration;

[0048] Step 3: determine whether there is multicast message forwarding rule matching with the multicast message, if yes, process to step 4, otherwise process to step 5;

[0049] During the process of filtering, if the multicast message matches with a certain multicast message forwarding rule, stop the process of filtering and process to step 4; otherwise, go on the process of filtering, that is, to match with the next multicast message forwarding rule until all multicast message forwarding rules match with the multicast message is, if the multicast message does not match with any of the multicast message forwarding rules, it will return to the normal flow of forwarding multicast to process, that is, to process to step 5;

[0050] Therefore, the present invention not only supports configuring a multicast message forwarding rule at the interface, but also supports configuring several multicast message forwarding rules at the interface;

[0051] In the present invention, a certain multicast message forwarding rule can contain one or lots of modes of forwarding multicast message and can support different types of modes of forwarding multicast message, for instance, there may exist configurations for the exit interface and the next hop at the same time, therefore the present invention has more strong function and more convenient application;

[0052] Step 4: forward the message according to the matching multicast message forwarding rule;

[0053] For configurations of different types of modes of forwarding multicast message, the present invention provides the forwarding mode adapting to features of network to guarantee the security of forwarding multicast message in the network, now implementation in different networks will be described as the following by taking an example of configuring exit interface and next hop:

[0054] If lots of forwarding exit interfaces are configured in the mode of forwarding multicast message of the multicast message forwarding rule, the message will be copied and forwarded to all designated interfaces. This mode provides the lowest security level for the multicast message forwarding;

[0055] If the next hop IP addresses are configured in the mode of forwarding multicast message of the multicast message forwarding rule, the local IP address therein will not processed. For all valid opposite-end IP addresses, the single broadcast routing list will be searched. If there is no route, they will not be processed; if some route is found, they will be processed according to types of the exit interfaces in the routing items as follows:

[0056] if type of the exit interface is NBMA (point to multipoint), forward the message according to the exit interface and virtual circuit therein;

[0057] if type of the exit interface is broadcast (Ethernet), forward the message according to the next hop address found in the single broadcast routing list and set the property of the message as single broadcast message;

[0058] if type of the exit interface is PTP, forward the message directly according to the IP address configured in the policy routing, wherein the IP address acts as the next hop address;

[0059] if there is no exit interface or next hop IP address configured, do not process the message and discard it directly;

[0060] Users can choose from different configuring modes of multicast message forwarding rule according to different requirements for security level.

[0061] Step 5: forward the multicast message according to the multicast routing forwarding list, detailed forwarding process is the same as conventional one and will not be discussed here.

[0062] The multicast message forwarding rule configured in the present invention mainly works in IP layer and has no special requirements for the link layer protocol. Therefore, configuring the rule can be based on kinds of link layer protocols such as Ethernet, PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol), ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), Frame Relay, etc. and it is convenient for users.

[0063] For some small-scale or relatively fixed networks, only simple multicast message forwarding rule can be configured to control the multicast message forwarding to reduce extra cost in the system and to promote efficiency of forwarding and to effectively guarantee the security of forwarding multicast message. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for forwarding multicast message in network communication comprises: a. configuring a forwarding match condition at an entry interface to the network device requiring forwarding multicast message, the forwarding match condition regulating forwarding rule for the multicast message; b. matching the multicast message to be forwarded to network device through the interface with the forwarding match condition; c. forwarding the multicast message according to the matching result.
 2. A method for forwarding multicast message in network communication of claim 1, wherein said forwarding match condition is a multicast message forwarding rule group consisting of more than one multicast message forwarding rule.
 3. A method for forwarding multicast message in network communication of claim 2, wherein said step b comprises: b1. determining whether message entering through the interface is a multicast message; b2. if yes, matching the multicast message with individual multicast message forwarding rule contained in the forwarding match condition; b3. if no, forwarding the message in single broadcast mode.
 4. A method for forwarding multicast message in network communication of claim 3, wherein said step b2 comprises step of matching the source address information in the multicast message with the source address information in the multicast message forwarding rule.
 5. A method for forwarding multicast message in network communication of claim 3, wherein said step b2 comprises step of matching the source address and destination address information in the multicast message with the source address and destination address information in the multicast message forwarding rule.
 6. A method for forwarding multicast message in network communication of claim 3, wherein said step b2 comprises step of matching the entry interface information in the multicast message with the entry interface information in the multicast message forwarding rule.
 7. A method for forwarding multicast message in network communication of claim 3, wherein said step b2 comprises: b21. determining whether the multicast message forwarding rule is configured at the interface of the network device; b22. if yes, matching the information carried by the multicast message with corresponding information in the multicast message forwarding rule; b23. if no, forwarding the multicast message according to the multicast routing forwarding list.
 8. A method for forwarding multicast message in network communication of claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein said step c comprises: c1. determining whether there is multicast message forwarding rule matching with the information carried by the multicast message in the forwarding match condition; c2. if yes, forwarding the multicast message according to the multicast message forwarding rule; c3. if no, forwarding the multicast message according to the multicast routing forwarding list.
 9. A method for forwarding multicast message in network communication of claim 8, wherein said step c2 comprises: c21. determining the message forwarding destination configured in the multicast message forwarding rule is the forwarding exit interface or the next hop address; c22. if the destination is the forwarding exit interface, and for the message configured lots of forwarding exit interfaces, the message being forwarded to all interfaces after copied; c23. if the destination is the next hop address, forwarding the message according to the single broadcast routing forwarding list and for the message configured lots of next hops, the message is forwarded to all addresses of next hops after copied.
 10. A method for forwarding multicast message in network communication of claim 9, wherein said step c23 comprises: c231. searching the single broadcast routing forwarding list and determining the type of exit interface corresponding to the next hop address; c232. if the type of exit interface is NBMA (point to multipoint), forwarding the message according to the exit interface; c233. if the type of exit interface is broadcast, forwarding the message according to the next hop address in the single broadcast routing forwarding list and setting the property of the message as single broadcast message; C234. if the type of exit interface is PTP, directly forwarding the message according to the next hop address regulated in the multicast message forwarding rule. 